So are all the options worth the cost? While appetites change from driver to driver, Motor1 suggests the answer is "no."
What features for the 2020 Ram 1500 cost the most?
A base model 2020 Ram 1500 is no joke. Many of the features that give Ram a leg up against its rivals come standard in every model. The easy-riding suspension and hybrid powertrain are just two examples.
But that doesn’t mean the cost-increasing items are all fluff. The option that spiked the price of Motor1’s test model the most was the diesel engine, a common choice for super duty models but one that’s relatively new to the half-ton class. It pushed the truck’s price up by $5,000.
Other fixings, like the $4,000 black appearance package or the luxury-level features included in the ironically named "Limited" trim, don’t really affect the pickup’s performance but offer a certain amount of pizzazz that will make heads turn on the job site or in the parking lot.
How does a fully loaded Ram compare to similar selections from rival brands?
After Ram began offering a diesel engine in the 1500 in 2014, Chevy and Ford followed suit with their half-tons, only a lower price. While Ram’s diesel option hit the $5,000 mark, Chevy’s stayed below $4,000 and Ford’s cost only $3,000.
All three automakers also offer luxurious upholstery and tech features in the higher trim levels of their half-tons, but with differing results. Motor1 complained about the materials used in the Chevy Silverado’s cabin, even for the top trim High Country model. Ford’s 2020 F-150 got good reviews for its interior options, though its comfort level didn’t match the Ram 1500.
The cost of owning a fully loaded pickup truck
The price tags on top-trim half-tons can get astonishingly high, especially after factoring in that they can’t offer the same capabilities as super duty models. But the cost of owning a pickup truck isn’t all bad news.